1. Christianity and Rome

2. In the beginning….

3. Judaism in Roman Times
Judaism was a small religion practiced in the Roman province of Judea
The Jews were always at odds with their Roman masters
Refused to give up their religion
Believed a prophesied savior would come to save the day

4. Judaism in Roman Times
Jewish political leaders relied on the graces of the Roman governor
Religious leaders were fighting for control of the common people
Common people were extremely poor and hungry

5. Along comes a Savior
Many men at the time of the Romans claimed to be the promised messiah
Jesus Christ was born humbly to a poor family in Northern Judea
At the age of ~30, Jesus Christ starts preaching to the Jewish common people

6. What Jesus Taught

7. What Jesus Taught ALL people have the ability to go to “Heaven”
Salvation is personal
It is better to be poor and humble than rich and powerful

8. When did Christianity Start?
At the age of 33, Jesus Christ was arrested for inciting a rebellion and blasphemy
Christ is executed in the common tradition for Roman traitors
Christ told his followers he would return

9. Return of Christ
Christ comes back to his closest friends after his death
Tells his “disciples” to spread the new gospel
12 Men (Apostles) start the new Christian church

10. Early Christianity Jews Only Traditionally Jewish
Some Jewish traditions not practiced
Animal sacrifices
Law of Moses

11. Christianity Meets Paul
Saul was born a Roman citizen
Spends his early days “persecuting the early Christians”
Converts after seeing Christ in a vision
Named an apostle
Becomes the greatest missionary

12. Christianity Expands Christians decide to allow non-Jewish converts
Missionaries travel all over the “world”
Many of the missionaries stay in the Roman Empire

15. Christians and Romans Roman plebeians embrace Christianity
Promise of salvation
Does not rely on the patricians
Roman Empire outlaws Christianity
Believe they are destroying Roman life
Christianity goes underground to avoid open persecution

17. Problems of Growth Christian doctrine is different in every city
The original apostles and missionaries are killed off
Churches in different cities fight each other over beliefs

19. Rome Converts Emperor Constantine coverts to Christianity
See Christ in vision before war
Christians are legal and come out of hiding
Paganism and gladiators outlawed

22. Start of the Catholic Church
Catholic means “universal”
Church headquarter in Rome
Bishop of Rome leads “all” of Christendom (at least in Roman Empire)
Rival churches are eliminated through law and politics

27. Rise of Christianity Exit Ticket
What/who brought about the rise of Christianity?
How did Christianity become legal in the Roman Empire?